2015-06-23

ICANN 53, IANA Transition Timeline, Fadi Chehade Keynote (video)

UPDATE: ICANN published on June 23, 2015, the above video of ICANN President and CEO Fadi Chehadé presenting the keynote address at the ICANN53 Welcome Ceremony and President's Opening Session on June 22, 2015'

ICANN CEO Fadi's Timeline Best Case Scenario: ICANN 54 is October 18-22, 2015 (Dublin) + 4-5 months (Phase 2) = actual transition phase 3 beginsMarch, 2016. Is this likely? Probably not. The above may be just another ICANN pipe dream scenario akin to the widely ridiculed and wrongICANN forecast that 33 million new gTLD domain names would be registered in FY 2015. Remember, all ICANN WS-1 accountability bylaw changes have to be enacted and in effect before NTIA can approve the Transition Plan per the DOTCOM Act. Congress will not approve until ICANN accountability provisions are in place. Note that ICANN 55 is entirely missing from Fadi's timeline. ICANN 56, which the timeline shows as completion of the transition in all respects, is 27-30 June 2016. Is that target date possible? Sure, under a "best case" scenario.